What this all means is: you take the base, and you multiply it against it self as many times as the exponent. 24 would be 2 ⋅ 2 ⋅ 2 ⋅ 2 = 16. 53 = 5 ⋅ 5 ⋅ 5 = 125. If the exponent is 2, then you say "squared". If it is 3, you say "cubed". If its bigger than that then you just say "to the xth power". This all assumes that the exponent isn't . If it is, in fact, 0, the whole thing comes out to 1. That's right. 50 = 1. 190 = 1. (222 + (9*5))0 = 1. That's just the way things are.

A number, letter, or any quantity written on the right hand of and above another quantity, and denoting how many times the latter is repeated as a factor to produce the power indicated

; thus a² denotes the second power, and an the xth power, of a (2 and x being the exponents). A fractional exponent, or index, is used to denote the root of a quantity. Thus, aࡩ denotes the third or cube root of a.

2.

One who, or that which, stands as an index or representative; as, the leader of a party is the exponent of its principles.

Exponent of a ratio, the quotient arising when the antecedent is divided by the consequent; thus, 6 is the exponent of the ratio of 30 to 5. [R.]